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The Panthers (4-7, 3-4 in Middle Border Conference play) boys team finished strong in their win over Osceola last Tuesday to end a seven-game win drought.

After losing a hard-fought non-conference battle to the leader of the Dunn-St. Croix Conference in Spring Valley (9-3, 6-2), Ellsworth bounced back and held on late for a 48-44 win over the Chieftains.

Versatile senior Mason Anderson led the Panthers with 20 points, nine rebounds and three blocked shots while junior Tanner Pechacek contributed five assist and a pair of steals. Junior Jack Janke added 11 points and five boards, while Alex Coulthard and Carson Nugent each finished with six points.

Chieftain senior forward Ashton Measner closed the game with 13 points, 12 boards, three assists and a pair of steals, but Ellsworth’s interior defense held him to 5 of 17 shooting from the field.

It meant a lot to the Panthers to successfully close out the close game after leading 25-22 at the mid-game break.

“We have been in several close games this year and were not able to overcome adversity or get the key stop or basket when we needed it,” Coach Jordan Petersen said. “Against Osceola we had adversity and were able to battle and overcome it and get the key stops we needed. It was great to see the team come together and not get down._ We hope to carry this over to every game and practice.”

Between games, Ellsworth is learning from their mistakes to improve every day.

“Defense and ball toughness are what we emphasize most,” Petersen stated. “We talk about it, teach it and drill it every day in practice._ We want them to become habits where they don't even have to think about these areas in a game, they just react.” The Panthers are focused on finishing the season strong.

“Our goals are to improve each and every day and to control the controllables.” __ Ellsworth played Osceola (1-10, 0-7 in MBC play) again Monday night before they look to upset MBC’s leading Saint Croix Central (12-1, 8-0 in MBC play) on Thursday at home. A rematch with Prescott (7-4, 4-2 in MBC play) is scheduled for next week Monday night in Ellsworth.